On my way home from a rally in Berlin, Germany that was around 2.5 hours, our journey there was 6.5 hours, and our journey home to our Northern German city was 4 hours and 45 minutes with no long stop at a rest stop, and the train was on time.
On our way home we were discussing how we could set up weekly rallies in our Northern German city. What equipment we need. What songs we can sing. Whether we can write some original poems for the rallies. I have a poetry slam rally idea in mind. We want to be creative to get the people out. Also, we are letting the locals in the countries we live in around the world know that we do not support Trump.
We will start a local Resistance Rally on 4/23 - We The People Wednesdays. It will include a Singing for Sanity portion. We plan to post the song lyrics on a QR code! A different local musician will lead each week, plus a speaker, plus tables with people to help with action items. We can’t wait to get started. We’re in Philly. Good luck, sister protesters!
Betsy, that sounds wonderful. Ever since we went to see the Dylan movie I have been reminded of the power of the protest songs. I hope you post the songs here or a link to where we can find the QR code. Solidarity!! ✌🏽
Some of the old songs are still powerful. Recommend, "Carry It On" by Gil Turner, can be done with two chords G and D, recorded by Joan Baez, Judy Collins and others. "Bread and Roses," a great woman's labor march for sustenance and beauty, is a longer and more complicated but great for helping us think about the attack on museums and culture as well. Those of a certain age and disposition will remember "Sing Out!" magazine of folk music, which was published from 1950 to 2014, and continues life in The Sing Out! Resource Center in Bethlehem, PA. Sing Out! remains a wish, a hope, and even a command. We can only be effective if we keep up speaking, singing, marching, and messaging.
The press and the opposition are counting on us having the attention span and the endurance of an amoeba.
Lisa, we may live abroad but we love our country and support it and the people, except for the oligarchs. We are emotionally tied to the USA and will be forever. Some of us are financially as well. Even Americans who do not earn any money in the US have to file taxes in the US each year. Many of us get our social security from the US. I am terrified about my mom losing social security, and losing it myself even though I have not gotten it yet.
Here is what I see needing to happen.
Step 1) Take back Congress
Step 2) Take back the White House
Step 3) Take back the Supreme Court
Last week I watched Tom Nichols and Juliette Kayyem talk about what needs to happen. She says Trump's popularity needs to be below 40% to win against him.
Yesterday I attended a Democrats Abroad Online Town Hall meeting. DNC leader Ken Martin attended as did Congresswoman Joyce Beatty from Ohio, and a lawyer for the party, and the International Chair of Democrats Abroad, Martha Pugh.
Ken told us that the Democratic party is going to be going to use social media all the time from the start, and other media as well. That the gloves are off and they are going to call the Republicans on all and everything that they do. If a child dies of measles it will be blamed on Kennedy as a murderer. There is going to be a panel of experts created in different fields to act like a shadow government. Also, the party has been filing law suits against the SAVE act and the EO from Trump about voting, which they expect to win.
Trump golfs, he delegates to Musk, he imposes tariffs. We call politicians, we protest, we vote! In Solidarity!! ✌🏽
We need to hear so much more from Ken Martin and his staff. I donate to the DNC a modest amount monthly but never receive any news of virtual town halls or what is planned. You have to go to the website. They have a very substandard Substack now called Blue Note but it is only published weekly. Really frustrating.
We have to keep pushing the DNC and our elected officials. They are waking up, but still a little sleepy. We have to keep the pressure.
"Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin"
Bob Dylan
We need to let the Democratic Party know that the only way forward is constant, powerful opposition. Tell them we ain't gonna follow unless they lead. No time to dawdle, "get out of the new road, if you can't lead a hand" building a new democracy. Yes, this is what democracy looks like, but we have to halt Trump's move to tyranny and effect real change in our economy and our government or the billionaires and Republican bullies will be totally cool with our having as many protests as we want.
Patrick, I said somewhere today in response to someone telling me that they will be having different musicians at their rallies, that when I saw the Dylan movie with my husband I was reminded how powerful song is as a means of protest and a movement. This is exactly what we need right now. I love this song. So apropos. https://youtu.be/Q9_nWlSX6Us?si=whYH0FI2yMtOTabi
Linda, until Hakeen Jeffries said, something like "what can we do?" I was also donating a small amount monthly to the DNC, and honestly all it netted me was more solicitations from members of the party and the party for money. No publications, nothing. I can mention what you are saying to my local Democrats Abroad leader and she can send this message up the food chain. Having the DNC have town halls would be good, but perhaps they are relying on Bernie and AOC to do this. However, what they are doing is going in-person in a lot of Republicans communities where the Republicans have been told by Mike Johnson not to hold any more town halls that they cannot manage. So, they are filling that void. Totally different from the DNC holding town halls with the party faithful.
Jacquie, I am glad you have Joyce Beatty in your corner. I have several friends from Ohio who ended up in Chicago. Some moved on, but some are still there.
The protests had so much joy, ebullience, positive energy. Trump/Miller etc talk about the sullen, angry America but here was massive TRUST and hope before our eyes. Onward. Surely Republican Congressmen can feel the numbers.
Thank you, Lisa. A young woman in my community organized a protest just 4 days ahead of April 5. She had never done anything like it but felt compelled to add our Bay Area, CA city to the list of those throughout the area participating. The turn out was great and I know she was riding high. I thanked her for stepping up. It all makes a difference.
Agreed that we need to maintain the spirit of April 5th and increase the momentum. But to hang the hope for change on the midterm election is not ambitious enough. We must work toward convincing Republican politicians that their future hangs not on supporting Trump, but on impeaching him and convicting him. Sooner, not later.
Yes! The time for patience and reasoning is over! If Republicans can't read the writing on the wall, perhaps we'll have to read it to them over and over and over.
Jerry Weiss in his substack "Feathers of Hope" outlined a way to approach getting ourselves out of this political mess that makes more sense than to keep hammering on Trump. But it requires us to step back from our indignation for a bit and focus on strategy. I believe that Weiss's strategy is not only viable, I have reason to believe that Congress people are working carefully at putting the pieces in place, which means careful negotiation within the house as it is.
The strategy, which some of you may have heard about, is REMOVE/IMPEACH/IMPEACH. The idea is to remove Johnson as speaker of the house through in-house negotiations (which appear to be taking place). REPLACE him with a moderate (and sensible) republican with a bipartisan vote. Then build impeachment cases jointly against both Trump and Vance. At this point, it is less of a stretch than it might sound. But it will take finesse and a great deal of skill. OUR role is first to encourage our Dem reps and accessible Republican reps to work in a bipartisan way to replace Johnson. He's vulnerable right now and this is well within the realm of possibility (esp. as the crazy componant of the house has shrunk considerably and more Republicans are starting to realize they are in a corner and will go down with Trump.
The next step is to really go to town insisting on impeachment of Trump and VAnce together. Jerry Weiss lays this out in more detail in his substack. I have to add here that Jerry's last post the other day was his farewell: he had been fighting stage 4 cancer for some time. But his stack is still up, and his strategy is available to read. It is far more doable than simply trying to remove Trump. If we go this way, there is a long list of impeachable offenses for both Vance and Trump. And more and more Congresspeople are finding themselves in corners, or actually speaking out against what is going on. (HANDS-OFF probably helped, especially in districts where republican voters faced down their reps).
With a Speaker who is willing to move the House along, even if we can't get to the IMPEACH/IMPEACH part, we can at least jumpstart Congress into acting like Congress and taking back the power of the purse, stopping this freefall we're in.
It's the best plan I've seen. Lots better than railing at Trump, who lives off it, and lots better than sitting on our thumbs waiting for a messiah.
Call your rep. Call your Senators. Tell them whatever they need to hear in order to understand what they need to do to get our country back on track ASAP, because we haven't got long before so much damage will be done we will have a heck of a time just finding the pieces to put back together. Mind you, we WILL do that if need be, but let's try the easy way first.
From my cousin (publicly posted), I can't even begin to describe how brave and inspired I am to be connected to such courage.
'I attended Hands Off today around our Townsend, MA common. I have never really paid attention to political issues until recently, so this was my first event ever. Proud to stand with about 200 like minded voters today who still believe in; kindness and helping neighbors (no matter their orientation or beliefs), protecting our National Parks, medical research, funding for schools, libraries and museums and especially who believe people with disabilities need a chance to thrive to their highest potential. We've lost so much in such a short span of time.'
Thank you Robert Hubbell for taking the enormous time away from your family in order to serve your much larger 'family' of American Citizens who cherish our Democracy and Bill of Rights.
We are all motivated by your messages and sacrifice of time, thought, wisdon and extraordinary personal effort. John K
Good Morning!! Thank you, Robert! It does feel as if our cause has been birthed over the weekend. I believe some new leaders will emerge from our common effort. The more vivid we become, the more new leadership will emerge. I say, take heart!!
I’ve been organizing rallies for the past 8 years with my Indivisible group. We have never had such a turnout! People were pouring in to the park in Kingston, NY and horns were honking in the nearby Main Street, non-stop. I helped greet protestors as they entered and the solidarity and purpose they expressed had me in almost constant tears of joy and relief. Our Indivisible Ulster tent was surrounded on all sides with throngs of people and we couldn’t get out! It was pouring rain but it was jubilant. People were so glad to be together and determined to be seen and felt. Other towns in our county staged rallies, too, and had large crowds. And our local media estimated more people than even we did!!! When does that happen?! My fervent hope is that we reach that “3.5% threshold” where change happens and it’s not just that we overthrow MAGA insanity and establish a solid, mature government…it’s that every citizen finally gets that having a Democracy requires daily attention from all of us. It can’t be left to elected leaders or to the do-gooder organizers who work so hard and burn themselves out trying to cheer lead the rest of us. I’m with Robert..we the people. Rallies, phone calls, letters, door knocks, running for office, joining boards and committees and organizations and making a difference because we ALL matter and every one of us inspires another just by showing up.
On a personal note…all of you regular commenters on this newsletter are my inspiration every day with your stories, knowledge and news from all over the country. Glad we’re in this together.
I think we are close to the 3.5% (which is an arbitrary assessment anyway). Not everyone who is supporting a return to Constitutional law and a commitment to the rule of law was at the demonstrations. And we forget that many of the people who were are just getting started and will go on to pull in more. There are thousands and thousands of people out there who agree with us, but did not know until now how or where to start. Plus, with Trump visibly deteriorating, people who were not concerned before are now recognizing the danger they and our country are in.
When I start thinking about the number of people who are discovering their voices through HANDS-OFF, and the number of people who've been quietly raising awareness, vote by vote, postcard by postcard, phone call by phone call, and add in the people who had been looking for the door to walk through, and those who were frightened to speak up but now are not, I believe that we are on the threshold of taking our country back.
Thank you Robert for so clearly sounding our continuing call to arms! And bless every amazing one of you answering the call, especially the heroic woman with the walker. I couldn’t help contrasting the joyful 8,000-strong protest Saturday in Asheville with the documentary, The Sixth, on Prime. If you haven’t seen it, brace yourself: it shows the savagery of Trump’s attack on the Capitol, on America as you have never even imagined. If you have MAGA folk in your family, challenge them to see it, bet them $5.00 that they are too chicken to sit through it.
I am the woman with the walker, and I certainly don't consider myself heroic - but one of many who deeply care about our democracy and the threats to it.
One thing I would like to see with the protests going forward is to get African-Americans involved, but I'm not sure how to do that. Much of what I have seen from that constituency about the marches has been negative. They point to how white protesters were left alone by authorities, while they feel that if they were involved, it would not be the case. Some were derisive, calling the marches “play acting” because there was little risk. I admit to initially being upset at some of these comments, but then I realized this was their truth and a different, legitimate perspective, much of it leftover resentment from being disproportionately targeted by police during the George Floyd protests. We are going to try to get some Black friends to join us on 4/19, but overall, messaging toward that goal eludes me. Any thoughts on how to get more of this vital constituency involved?
Thank you for this observation. At our rally in Lancaster PA (one of the biggest ever) I, too, was concerned about the lack of diversity. I am wondering if our communication channels do not include them. I was also encouraged by the lack of police all around the country and the peaceful approach to the protest, but your comment about why that might be is instructive.
First time I saw it I just marveled at the massive turn-out, the signs, the vibe, but watching it again after your comment it proves your observation: a sea of White – and not just in Montana but in places like Houston (impressive 7 min clip), New York or Atlanta.
Dean, you are so right, and it is so important (also, look at photos of Town Halls, Rallies, etc.)! I have no idea what to say. Perhaps, Rick’s response, “I am wondering if our communication channels do not include them”, has merit. It’s a complex subject. But, if we can’t get people of color involved, we will have problems winning elections! One thought is the DNC needs to be all over this!
Invite, grow, bring in diverse political leaders. In South Bend, IN our first demonstration after the inauguration had maybe 100 people tops -- old folks, smaller numbers of young, the poor -- Black, white, brown, Asian, and South Asians, and on and on. We had diverse speakers who spoke to all of us but also to their constituencies. Our April 5th demonstrations increased to 2,000. This is a factor of more people reaching out to friends and welcoming the "non-political" an the demonstration shy. AND it is a factor of Trump comprehensive fan to hurt, impoverish, and show his utter contempt for Americans from every demogratphic. We had nuns next to tattooed bikers, veterans in service caps next to aging peaceniks. Mothers explaining signs to their toddlers, "The sign say No Kings because we don't want to be ruled by a king, do we?" Professors next to union machinists. Scientists protesting Trump defunding cancer research next to cancer survivors and people who have lost spouses to cancer and other diseases.
The great opportunity in our opposition lies in the facts that Trump's
1) tariffs are completely unnecessary and hurt everyone;
2) his contempt of the American people is so profound, he acts like he's not even worried; he thinks he is untouchable;
3) his immigration policies are aimed at performative cruelty rather than doing anything to improve a situation -- look at the scenes from the El Salvador prison;
4) he is hurting everyone who is not a zillionaire, and hurting them as well in loss of business and money with NO APPARENT BENEFIT TO ANYONE. If Trump had imposed a tax that took 10% from everyone's retirement plans, we would have gone crazy, but at least the country could have done something with that revenue. Instead he is a super magician. He just made that money disappear;
5) Trump hates Europe, hurts farmers and the poor, public school teachers, and postal workers. He casts his pain throughout the U.S. and may hit the Red States worse than the Blue;
6) And he show in every way every day that he doesn't care.
(And that's just for starters.)
Let's not worry overmuch about the composition of our protest demographic (though I get the concern and worry about it myself). Enlarge our circles by bringing in the young, the shy, the demonstration adverse, and those who will create a ruckus and follow up.
People will show up if we let them know they are valued and welcomed. But let's don't slow down the effort by anguishing over the make up of those who are early to the fight.
Yes, we need everyone in our coalition to win elections. More importantly, perhaps, African-Americans and other minorities need to know their voices are welcome and their concerns are important.
Dean, I think we can trust people of all the many races in America to organize themselves for their own freedoms, families, and future. If you don’t see them organizing, you might not be looking in the right place. They are building their own organizations from the wealth of experience they bring to the fight. Check out BlackPac.org, GetFree.org, and many more.
My health prevented me from joining all of you on Saturday. But I checked throughout the day to see what was transpiring. It was inspiring to see the turnout. Thank you all for your efforts! A recreation of sorts of the tea party over taxation without representation when oppression gave way to popular control. Victory in 2026 is this only answer, and we must find our new leader. Is it Corey Booker? AOC? We need leadership!
Both of them, and Chris Murphy, Jasmine Crockett, Pete Buttigieg, J.B. Pritzker, and anyone else with the courage to stand up and be counted, including Republicans if there are any such.
A functioning Congress that is not subservient to the President, three co-equal branches of government, a Supreme Court that is not a limp noodle to right-wing autocracy and white Christian nationalism, an executive branch that believes in and obeys the rule of law. How's that for a start? I know we are a ways away from that and many of the goals, particularly in the judiciary, would mean a reversal of key cases like Dobbs and Citizens United. All this makes me feel at times that the coup has already happened and we are in the first years of an American autocracy no matter how many trappings of democracy still remain. But so many countries have fought for longer than we have even to achieve a kind of sham democracy dependent on wealth and entrenched dominance by corporations and big business. So we fight on .
Thank you! I was in Boston and it was beautiful. My favorite part, aside from feeling so uplifted by seeing so many people and so many beautifully creative signs, was when speakers paused to ask us to tun to someone we didn’t know and introduce ourselves. Everyone was so friendly and so happy to be there!
Your reader with the walker that you describe puts me to shame. I didn’t go because I had hip surgery eight weeks ago, I was afraid of being knocked over in Boston by the crowds. But there she was, 10 days out from surgery. I am in awe! I’ll be there next time!
Pam, I agree with Colleen. The only shame would be if you weren't inspired by the story Robert shared. Then your heart would have become titanium and not beneficially your hip. You have been moved. This is a long race. Make sure your healthy and ready.
Do not be hard on yourself. We all make decisions based on what is right for us. As the reader with the walker, I must say that had my protest been as big as the one in Boston I would’ve reconsidered. In Enfield, CT, we were all strung out along Main Street only one row deep, so I was pretty safe. Keep up your healing and come to the next one if you can.
Good for you JD in TX! I’m that person, and I consider my walker a badge of honor. Still alive and getting into good trouble 55 years after my first protest.
Hi Crystal. So glad I went. Have been weak from surgery gone wrong. It was like a shot of adrenaline. I protested W/Dickie and chump 45, and here we are again. Will keep Walker handy…
I have to admit that Saturday's protest was the greatest day EVER....and it pooped this old lady out! But I rested yesterday and I'm set and ready to go. My daughter and I are trying to put together a SWAT TEAM that can carpool to wherever the next protest is happening! We have nice T-shirts that say S.W.A.T...."Smart Women Against Trump!" Keep your eye out for us!!
I hope you read the whole article, which provides some context for Trump's claim. This kind of thing actually follows Trump's past patterns: when things go south, pretend that that was your intent all along. The article points out that others disagree: Trump is simply out of control and out of touch, and as usual, trying to make it sound as if he is still in control. No, he isn't.
The video was not new. He said it in mid-March. The others who "disagree" are pretty much those of his own administration, and yes I read it all. He is nuts, and nuts enough to do this and listen to Peter Navarro.
As I watched and read about the protests over the weekend, two thoughts came to mind. The first was that on Friday, as the stock market melted down again, the people in the middle of the country were loosing lives and homes because of the weather, and the bodies of 4 US servicemen were being returned to Dover, where was the president? Heading off to host a golf tournament. Seems we have our modern day Nero.
The second was lines from an old Crosby, Stills and Nash song from the 60's:
Speak out, Speak out against the madness
Speak your mind, That is, if you still can and if you still dare.
And while every day folks were marching in protest of layoffs, cruelty and incompetence, what was our leader doing? GOLF. Trump flew to Miami for a golf tournament. In his own perfect "Let them eat Cake" moment, our president fired federal employees, crashed the stock market, and took off in a government owned and fueled plane for a game of golf at a Miami resort he conveniently owns while surrounded by a substantial secret service detail. Marie Antoinette is alive and well.
This is what Democracy looks like.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/us-citizens-unity-around-the-world?r=f0qfn
On my way home from a rally in Berlin, Germany that was around 2.5 hours, our journey there was 6.5 hours, and our journey home to our Northern German city was 4 hours and 45 minutes with no long stop at a rest stop, and the train was on time.
On our way home we were discussing how we could set up weekly rallies in our Northern German city. What equipment we need. What songs we can sing. Whether we can write some original poems for the rallies. I have a poetry slam rally idea in mind. We want to be creative to get the people out. Also, we are letting the locals in the countries we live in around the world know that we do not support Trump.
In solidarity!! ✌🏽
We will start a local Resistance Rally on 4/23 - We The People Wednesdays. It will include a Singing for Sanity portion. We plan to post the song lyrics on a QR code! A different local musician will lead each week, plus a speaker, plus tables with people to help with action items. We can’t wait to get started. We’re in Philly. Good luck, sister protesters!
Betsy, that sounds wonderful. Ever since we went to see the Dylan movie I have been reminded of the power of the protest songs. I hope you post the songs here or a link to where we can find the QR code. Solidarity!! ✌🏽
Some of the old songs are still powerful. Recommend, "Carry It On" by Gil Turner, can be done with two chords G and D, recorded by Joan Baez, Judy Collins and others. "Bread and Roses," a great woman's labor march for sustenance and beauty, is a longer and more complicated but great for helping us think about the attack on museums and culture as well. Those of a certain age and disposition will remember "Sing Out!" magazine of folk music, which was published from 1950 to 2014, and continues life in The Sing Out! Resource Center in Bethlehem, PA. Sing Out! remains a wish, a hope, and even a command. We can only be effective if we keep up speaking, singing, marching, and messaging.
The press and the opposition are counting on us having the attention span and the endurance of an amoeba.
Copying this into our organizing spreadsheet. Thanks! This is how we share strength!!
Your ideas are inspirational! Raging Grannies have some songs to share:
https://raginggrannies.org/
The Raging Grannies sang at our protest in Fresno, CA on Saturday. They were fantastic.
Ok. This made me tear up. 🥹 Thank you from America.
Lisa, we may live abroad but we love our country and support it and the people, except for the oligarchs. We are emotionally tied to the USA and will be forever. Some of us are financially as well. Even Americans who do not earn any money in the US have to file taxes in the US each year. Many of us get our social security from the US. I am terrified about my mom losing social security, and losing it myself even though I have not gotten it yet.
Here is what I see needing to happen.
Step 1) Take back Congress
Step 2) Take back the White House
Step 3) Take back the Supreme Court
Last week I watched Tom Nichols and Juliette Kayyem talk about what needs to happen. She says Trump's popularity needs to be below 40% to win against him.
https://youtu.be/RogdTA-EfKo?si=Tm6h9QN7LnRlfBPC
We are working on it.
Yesterday I attended a Democrats Abroad Online Town Hall meeting. DNC leader Ken Martin attended as did Congresswoman Joyce Beatty from Ohio, and a lawyer for the party, and the International Chair of Democrats Abroad, Martha Pugh.
Ken told us that the Democratic party is going to be going to use social media all the time from the start, and other media as well. That the gloves are off and they are going to call the Republicans on all and everything that they do. If a child dies of measles it will be blamed on Kennedy as a murderer. There is going to be a panel of experts created in different fields to act like a shadow government. Also, the party has been filing law suits against the SAVE act and the EO from Trump about voting, which they expect to win.
Trump golfs, he delegates to Musk, he imposes tariffs. We call politicians, we protest, we vote! In Solidarity!! ✌🏽
"There is going to be a
panel of experts created in different fields to act like a shadow government."
THIS is fantastic news.
Absolutely necessary--this should have been done two months ago
We need to hear so much more from Ken Martin and his staff. I donate to the DNC a modest amount monthly but never receive any news of virtual town halls or what is planned. You have to go to the website. They have a very substandard Substack now called Blue Note but it is only published weekly. Really frustrating.
We have to keep pushing the DNC and our elected officials. They are waking up, but still a little sleepy. We have to keep the pressure.
"Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin"
Bob Dylan
We need to let the Democratic Party know that the only way forward is constant, powerful opposition. Tell them we ain't gonna follow unless they lead. No time to dawdle, "get out of the new road, if you can't lead a hand" building a new democracy. Yes, this is what democracy looks like, but we have to halt Trump's move to tyranny and effect real change in our economy and our government or the billionaires and Republican bullies will be totally cool with our having as many protests as we want.
Patrick, I said somewhere today in response to someone telling me that they will be having different musicians at their rallies, that when I saw the Dylan movie with my husband I was reminded how powerful song is as a means of protest and a movement. This is exactly what we need right now. I love this song. So apropos. https://youtu.be/Q9_nWlSX6Us?si=whYH0FI2yMtOTabi
Linda, until Hakeen Jeffries said, something like "what can we do?" I was also donating a small amount monthly to the DNC, and honestly all it netted me was more solicitations from members of the party and the party for money. No publications, nothing. I can mention what you are saying to my local Democrats Abroad leader and she can send this message up the food chain. Having the DNC have town halls would be good, but perhaps they are relying on Bernie and AOC to do this. However, what they are doing is going in-person in a lot of Republicans communities where the Republicans have been told by Mike Johnson not to hold any more town halls that they cannot manage. So, they are filling that void. Totally different from the DNC holding town halls with the party faithful.
Thank you for your report, Linda. Joyce Beatty is my rep and I called to thank her for participating in this town hall.
Jacquie, I am glad you have Joyce Beatty in your corner. I have several friends from Ohio who ended up in Chicago. Some moved on, but some are still there.
Me too. Thank you Germany! Thank you Americans abroad.
Thank you Jill!
Thank you Linda!
Thank you Wendy!
Thanks, Linda, for a wonderful account and photos!
Thank you David.
You’re most welcome, Linda!
Bravo!
Goodness
I'm one of the lead organizers for the protest in Jacksonville, FL. Thank you so much for sharing the story of the protests around the country. 💙
A lot of us organizers are just normal people who decided to add a helping of activism to our already full plate.
I'm glad it was such a huge success! Now on to 4/19.
The protests had so much joy, ebullience, positive energy. Trump/Miller etc talk about the sullen, angry America but here was massive TRUST and hope before our eyes. Onward. Surely Republican Congressmen can feel the numbers.
Thank you, Lisa. A young woman in my community organized a protest just 4 days ahead of April 5. She had never done anything like it but felt compelled to add our Bay Area, CA city to the list of those throughout the area participating. The turn out was great and I know she was riding high. I thanked her for stepping up. It all makes a difference.
Lisa, thank you!
Agreed that we need to maintain the spirit of April 5th and increase the momentum. But to hang the hope for change on the midterm election is not ambitious enough. We must work toward convincing Republican politicians that their future hangs not on supporting Trump, but on impeaching him and convicting him. Sooner, not later.
Yes! The time for patience and reasoning is over! If Republicans can't read the writing on the wall, perhaps we'll have to read it to them over and over and over.
This!!! 2026 is too far off. The destruction is staggering.
Jerry Weiss in his substack "Feathers of Hope" outlined a way to approach getting ourselves out of this political mess that makes more sense than to keep hammering on Trump. But it requires us to step back from our indignation for a bit and focus on strategy. I believe that Weiss's strategy is not only viable, I have reason to believe that Congress people are working carefully at putting the pieces in place, which means careful negotiation within the house as it is.
The strategy, which some of you may have heard about, is REMOVE/IMPEACH/IMPEACH. The idea is to remove Johnson as speaker of the house through in-house negotiations (which appear to be taking place). REPLACE him with a moderate (and sensible) republican with a bipartisan vote. Then build impeachment cases jointly against both Trump and Vance. At this point, it is less of a stretch than it might sound. But it will take finesse and a great deal of skill. OUR role is first to encourage our Dem reps and accessible Republican reps to work in a bipartisan way to replace Johnson. He's vulnerable right now and this is well within the realm of possibility (esp. as the crazy componant of the house has shrunk considerably and more Republicans are starting to realize they are in a corner and will go down with Trump.
The next step is to really go to town insisting on impeachment of Trump and VAnce together. Jerry Weiss lays this out in more detail in his substack. I have to add here that Jerry's last post the other day was his farewell: he had been fighting stage 4 cancer for some time. But his stack is still up, and his strategy is available to read. It is far more doable than simply trying to remove Trump. If we go this way, there is a long list of impeachable offenses for both Vance and Trump. And more and more Congresspeople are finding themselves in corners, or actually speaking out against what is going on. (HANDS-OFF probably helped, especially in districts where republican voters faced down their reps).
With a Speaker who is willing to move the House along, even if we can't get to the IMPEACH/IMPEACH part, we can at least jumpstart Congress into acting like Congress and taking back the power of the purse, stopping this freefall we're in.
It's the best plan I've seen. Lots better than railing at Trump, who lives off it, and lots better than sitting on our thumbs waiting for a messiah.
Call your rep. Call your Senators. Tell them whatever they need to hear in order to understand what they need to do to get our country back on track ASAP, because we haven't got long before so much damage will be done we will have a heck of a time just finding the pieces to put back together. Mind you, we WILL do that if need be, but let's try the easy way first.
From my cousin (publicly posted), I can't even begin to describe how brave and inspired I am to be connected to such courage.
'I attended Hands Off today around our Townsend, MA common. I have never really paid attention to political issues until recently, so this was my first event ever. Proud to stand with about 200 like minded voters today who still believe in; kindness and helping neighbors (no matter their orientation or beliefs), protecting our National Parks, medical research, funding for schools, libraries and museums and especially who believe people with disabilities need a chance to thrive to their highest potential. We've lost so much in such a short span of time.'
Thank you Robert Hubbell for taking the enormous time away from your family in order to serve your much larger 'family' of American Citizens who cherish our Democracy and Bill of Rights.
We are all motivated by your messages and sacrifice of time, thought, wisdon and extraordinary personal effort. John K
Good Morning!! Thank you, Robert! It does feel as if our cause has been birthed over the weekend. I believe some new leaders will emerge from our common effort. The more vivid we become, the more new leadership will emerge. I say, take heart!!
I’ve been organizing rallies for the past 8 years with my Indivisible group. We have never had such a turnout! People were pouring in to the park in Kingston, NY and horns were honking in the nearby Main Street, non-stop. I helped greet protestors as they entered and the solidarity and purpose they expressed had me in almost constant tears of joy and relief. Our Indivisible Ulster tent was surrounded on all sides with throngs of people and we couldn’t get out! It was pouring rain but it was jubilant. People were so glad to be together and determined to be seen and felt. Other towns in our county staged rallies, too, and had large crowds. And our local media estimated more people than even we did!!! When does that happen?! My fervent hope is that we reach that “3.5% threshold” where change happens and it’s not just that we overthrow MAGA insanity and establish a solid, mature government…it’s that every citizen finally gets that having a Democracy requires daily attention from all of us. It can’t be left to elected leaders or to the do-gooder organizers who work so hard and burn themselves out trying to cheer lead the rest of us. I’m with Robert..we the people. Rallies, phone calls, letters, door knocks, running for office, joining boards and committees and organizations and making a difference because we ALL matter and every one of us inspires another just by showing up.
On a personal note…all of you regular commenters on this newsletter are my inspiration every day with your stories, knowledge and news from all over the country. Glad we’re in this together.
My friend was there with you in the pouring rain with her walker and a sign: I can’t believe I’m still protesting this shit!
I think we are close to the 3.5% (which is an arbitrary assessment anyway). Not everyone who is supporting a return to Constitutional law and a commitment to the rule of law was at the demonstrations. And we forget that many of the people who were are just getting started and will go on to pull in more. There are thousands and thousands of people out there who agree with us, but did not know until now how or where to start. Plus, with Trump visibly deteriorating, people who were not concerned before are now recognizing the danger they and our country are in.
When I start thinking about the number of people who are discovering their voices through HANDS-OFF, and the number of people who've been quietly raising awareness, vote by vote, postcard by postcard, phone call by phone call, and add in the people who had been looking for the door to walk through, and those who were frightened to speak up but now are not, I believe that we are on the threshold of taking our country back.
Thank you Robert for so clearly sounding our continuing call to arms! And bless every amazing one of you answering the call, especially the heroic woman with the walker. I couldn’t help contrasting the joyful 8,000-strong protest Saturday in Asheville with the documentary, The Sixth, on Prime. If you haven’t seen it, brace yourself: it shows the savagery of Trump’s attack on the Capitol, on America as you have never even imagined. If you have MAGA folk in your family, challenge them to see it, bet them $5.00 that they are too chicken to sit through it.
I am the woman with the walker, and I certainly don't consider myself heroic - but one of many who deeply care about our democracy and the threats to it.
Your humility raises you further in my opinion, Crystal.
Thank you for your kindness.
✨💙💫
One thing I would like to see with the protests going forward is to get African-Americans involved, but I'm not sure how to do that. Much of what I have seen from that constituency about the marches has been negative. They point to how white protesters were left alone by authorities, while they feel that if they were involved, it would not be the case. Some were derisive, calling the marches “play acting” because there was little risk. I admit to initially being upset at some of these comments, but then I realized this was their truth and a different, legitimate perspective, much of it leftover resentment from being disproportionately targeted by police during the George Floyd protests. We are going to try to get some Black friends to join us on 4/19, but overall, messaging toward that goal eludes me. Any thoughts on how to get more of this vital constituency involved?
Thank you for this observation. At our rally in Lancaster PA (one of the biggest ever) I, too, was concerned about the lack of diversity. I am wondering if our communication channels do not include them. I was also encouraged by the lack of police all around the country and the peaceful approach to the protest, but your comment about why that might be is instructive.
Dean, you definitely have a point. I just revisited this great and uplifting piece https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/hands-off-mass-protests-against-trump-musk-photos-videos.html.
First time I saw it I just marveled at the massive turn-out, the signs, the vibe, but watching it again after your comment it proves your observation: a sea of White – and not just in Montana but in places like Houston (impressive 7 min clip), New York or Atlanta.
Might our Black sisters and brothers be tired of carrying us on their backs at greater personal risk?
Just to be clear, I am not suggesting that all individuals in any constituency feel, think, believe exactly the same.
Not an answer to your question.
Dean, you are so right, and it is so important (also, look at photos of Town Halls, Rallies, etc.)! I have no idea what to say. Perhaps, Rick’s response, “I am wondering if our communication channels do not include them”, has merit. It’s a complex subject. But, if we can’t get people of color involved, we will have problems winning elections! One thought is the DNC needs to be all over this!
Invite, grow, bring in diverse political leaders. In South Bend, IN our first demonstration after the inauguration had maybe 100 people tops -- old folks, smaller numbers of young, the poor -- Black, white, brown, Asian, and South Asians, and on and on. We had diverse speakers who spoke to all of us but also to their constituencies. Our April 5th demonstrations increased to 2,000. This is a factor of more people reaching out to friends and welcoming the "non-political" an the demonstration shy. AND it is a factor of Trump comprehensive fan to hurt, impoverish, and show his utter contempt for Americans from every demogratphic. We had nuns next to tattooed bikers, veterans in service caps next to aging peaceniks. Mothers explaining signs to their toddlers, "The sign say No Kings because we don't want to be ruled by a king, do we?" Professors next to union machinists. Scientists protesting Trump defunding cancer research next to cancer survivors and people who have lost spouses to cancer and other diseases.
The great opportunity in our opposition lies in the facts that Trump's
1) tariffs are completely unnecessary and hurt everyone;
2) his contempt of the American people is so profound, he acts like he's not even worried; he thinks he is untouchable;
3) his immigration policies are aimed at performative cruelty rather than doing anything to improve a situation -- look at the scenes from the El Salvador prison;
4) he is hurting everyone who is not a zillionaire, and hurting them as well in loss of business and money with NO APPARENT BENEFIT TO ANYONE. If Trump had imposed a tax that took 10% from everyone's retirement plans, we would have gone crazy, but at least the country could have done something with that revenue. Instead he is a super magician. He just made that money disappear;
5) Trump hates Europe, hurts farmers and the poor, public school teachers, and postal workers. He casts his pain throughout the U.S. and may hit the Red States worse than the Blue;
6) And he show in every way every day that he doesn't care.
(And that's just for starters.)
Let's not worry overmuch about the composition of our protest demographic (though I get the concern and worry about it myself). Enlarge our circles by bringing in the young, the shy, the demonstration adverse, and those who will create a ruckus and follow up.
People will show up if we let them know they are valued and welcomed. But let's don't slow down the effort by anguishing over the make up of those who are early to the fight.
Yes, we need everyone in our coalition to win elections. More importantly, perhaps, African-Americans and other minorities need to know their voices are welcome and their concerns are important.
Dean, I think we can trust people of all the many races in America to organize themselves for their own freedoms, families, and future. If you don’t see them organizing, you might not be looking in the right place. They are building their own organizations from the wealth of experience they bring to the fight. Check out BlackPac.org, GetFree.org, and many more.
BlackVotersMatter.org is another incredible organization. Check them out, then make a donation if you are able to. We can support all these efforts.
My health prevented me from joining all of you on Saturday. But I checked throughout the day to see what was transpiring. It was inspiring to see the turnout. Thank you all for your efforts! A recreation of sorts of the tea party over taxation without representation when oppression gave way to popular control. Victory in 2026 is this only answer, and we must find our new leader. Is it Corey Booker? AOC? We need leadership!
Both of them, and Chris Murphy, Jasmine Crockett, Pete Buttigieg, J.B. Pritzker, and anyone else with the courage to stand up and be counted, including Republicans if there are any such.
Yes, no one man or woman on a white horse, but all leading a new blue wave, one that really matters and changes the way the people's business is done.
What changes do you want to hear?
A functioning Congress that is not subservient to the President, three co-equal branches of government, a Supreme Court that is not a limp noodle to right-wing autocracy and white Christian nationalism, an executive branch that believes in and obeys the rule of law. How's that for a start? I know we are a ways away from that and many of the goals, particularly in the judiciary, would mean a reversal of key cases like Dobbs and Citizens United. All this makes me feel at times that the coup has already happened and we are in the first years of an American autocracy no matter how many trappings of democracy still remain. But so many countries have fought for longer than we have even to achieve a kind of sham democracy dependent on wealth and entrenched dominance by corporations and big business. So we fight on .
Thank you! I was in Boston and it was beautiful. My favorite part, aside from feeling so uplifted by seeing so many people and so many beautifully creative signs, was when speakers paused to ask us to tun to someone we didn’t know and introduce ourselves. Everyone was so friendly and so happy to be there!
Did you get to hear the Dropkick Murphy's sing?
Your reader with the walker that you describe puts me to shame. I didn’t go because I had hip surgery eight weeks ago, I was afraid of being knocked over in Boston by the crowds. But there she was, 10 days out from surgery. I am in awe! I’ll be there next time!
No shame to you. You made the best decision for your own health. We need you for the long haul.
Keep up your PT, etc. 😘 (And recovery is one time when actual ice truly is one’s friend.)
Pam, I agree with Colleen. The only shame would be if you weren't inspired by the story Robert shared. Then your heart would have become titanium and not beneficially your hip. You have been moved. This is a long race. Make sure your healthy and ready.
Oh, I just love it when someone agrees with me and says so! 😆 Thanks, Patrick!
Do not be hard on yourself. We all make decisions based on what is right for us. As the reader with the walker, I must say that had my protest been as big as the one in Boston I would’ve reconsidered. In Enfield, CT, we were all strung out along Main Street only one row deep, so I was pretty safe. Keep up your healing and come to the next one if you can.
Tell the commenter with the walker that I was one as well. And I will be at every one, God willing.
Good for you JD in TX! I’m that person, and I consider my walker a badge of honor. Still alive and getting into good trouble 55 years after my first protest.
Hi Crystal. So glad I went. Have been weak from surgery gone wrong. It was like a shot of adrenaline. I protested W/Dickie and chump 45, and here we are again. Will keep Walker handy…
That's great! I'm sure there are many of us for whom this is not our first protest. I'm also really glad that I went.
I have to admit that Saturday's protest was the greatest day EVER....and it pooped this old lady out! But I rested yesterday and I'm set and ready to go. My daughter and I are trying to put together a SWAT TEAM that can carpool to wherever the next protest is happening! We have nice T-shirts that say S.W.A.T...."Smart Women Against Trump!" Keep your eye out for us!!
If you have not read this yet, Trump admitted he is purposely crashing the stock market. It is not a by-product of his stupid tariffs. It is his plan.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-shares-post-purposely-crashing-stock-market-1235310745/
I hope you read the whole article, which provides some context for Trump's claim. This kind of thing actually follows Trump's past patterns: when things go south, pretend that that was your intent all along. The article points out that others disagree: Trump is simply out of control and out of touch, and as usual, trying to make it sound as if he is still in control. No, he isn't.
The video was not new. He said it in mid-March. The others who "disagree" are pretty much those of his own administration, and yes I read it all. He is nuts, and nuts enough to do this and listen to Peter Navarro.
As I watched and read about the protests over the weekend, two thoughts came to mind. The first was that on Friday, as the stock market melted down again, the people in the middle of the country were loosing lives and homes because of the weather, and the bodies of 4 US servicemen were being returned to Dover, where was the president? Heading off to host a golf tournament. Seems we have our modern day Nero.
The second was lines from an old Crosby, Stills and Nash song from the 60's:
Speak out, Speak out against the madness
Speak your mind, That is, if you still can and if you still dare.
I saw a clip of trump teeing off with a comment saying his golf ball bounced off the caskets of the 4 US servicemen. U
He is utterly disgraceful and vile.
And while every day folks were marching in protest of layoffs, cruelty and incompetence, what was our leader doing? GOLF. Trump flew to Miami for a golf tournament. In his own perfect "Let them eat Cake" moment, our president fired federal employees, crashed the stock market, and took off in a government owned and fueled plane for a game of golf at a Miami resort he conveniently owns while surrounded by a substantial secret service detail. Marie Antoinette is alive and well.